Stereo Output Channel In Logic Pro ???

[DigitalMusicProduction]

Hi

Just a quick question about the Stereo Output channel in Logic Pro. After reading articles I'm still not understanding its concept, what exactly is its purpose? I'm assuming it provides a greater or less stereo output for the track being recorded? but is there another purpose for it.

[MOF]

It’s for controlling the overall level of all the tracks that are routed to it, which is usually all the virtual instruments, effects and audio tracks.

[Exalted Wombat]

It's the last control before the music hits the outside world! The exit gate for your music! Everything you do in the Mixer - audio tracks, virtual instrument tracks, effects etc. - ends up at the Output strip. It's a last chance to control the overall volume. Last chance to insert a compressor or eq plugin which will affect the whole mix.

[Ben Asaro]

This has already been excellently explained: the Stereo Output is your 2-bus. When you select Bounce, whatever is coming out of this bus is what will be mixed down from the multitrack. There is actually another fader after Stereo Output called Master, so I can understand your confusion!

If you open an empty session, add a track, go to the mixer, and enable all of the viewing options you will see: your new track, Click, Stereo Output, and Master. You can change this view by de-selecting options at the top of the mixer window.

It’s usually easier to set up buses prior to the stereo out to have greater control over the output. If you right click on an aux bus in the mixer view, you can create a track from that bus which you can add automation to, including Stereo Output.

[DigitalMusicProduction]

It's the last control before the music hits the outside world! The exit gate for your music! Everything you do in the Mixer - audio tracks, virtual instrument tracks, effects etc. - ends up at the Output strip. It's a last chance to control the overall volume. Last chance to insert a compressor or eq plugin which will affect the whole mix.

So in my case with a solo piano production, after mixing the piano and adding a few FX processing tools i simlpy move on to gain stage each track, after which i then bounce the tracks. Where then in this production process does the stereo out channel fader come in to play? And what do my tracks benefit from it?

[ConcertinaChap]

There is actually another fader after Stereo Output called Master, so I can understand your confusion!

And my confusion. I've never understood the point of the Master fader, I just find it irritating that it takes up an unnecessary fader on my MCU. I leave the Master fader on 0 and otherwise ignore it.

Although if someone can explain why I should not ignore it I will happily learn.

CC

[Dave Rowles]

Quick search brought up that the Master Fader controlls the output level for ALL outputs, not just the stereo. I'll have to try that out!

So for instance, when I'm doing live work I use logic to do the reverbs, but output each of the verbs on different outs. So Drum verb is 1-2, hall is 3-4, plate os 5-6.

So I guess if I grabbed the master fader it would reduce the output level of all of those.

If you're just outputting to the single stereo output, then it is a little pointless.

[IAA]

It’s a master VCA and you can to all intents and purposes forget about it and even hide it in the mixer view by deselecting master.

[ConcertinaChap]

Thanks, Dave, that sounds reasonable, but as you say I'm just outputting the single stereo channel.

and you can to all intents and purposes forget about it and even hide it in the mixer view by deselecting master.

I've done that in some of my templates. Unfortunately that doesn't prevent it taking up a fader on my MCU.

CC

[IAA]

Unfortunately that doesn't prevent it taking up a fader on my MCU.

ha, yes that’s a pain I agree.

[Exalted Wombat]

It's the last control before the music hits the outside world! The exit gate for your music! Everything you do in the Mixer - audio tracks, virtual instrument tracks, effects etc. - ends up at the Output strip. It's a last chance to control the overall volume. Last chance to insert a compressor or eq plugin which will affect the whole mix.

So in my case with a solo piano production, after mixing the piano and adding a few FX processing tools i simlpy move on to gain stage each track, after which i then bounce the tracks. Where then in this production process does the stereo out channel fader come in to play? And what do my tracks benefit from it?

I guess your tracks contain different 'takes' of your playing, to be chopped together into one faultless composite? It's wasteful to apply FX to each track separately. Just apply one instance of them in the Output channel.